Word
mammary
Phoneticsmam·ma·ry, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmæmɝi/
UK/mˈæməɹi/
Definition
adj. connected to breasts and the milk they make to feed babies. You see it in the phrase mammary gland.
adj. relating to the breasts or to the milk-producing glands in mammals. Often appears in anatomical phrases such as 'mammary gland'.
Examples
“Female mammals have mammary glands to feed their young.”
“The vet checked the dog's mammary glands after she gave birth to make sure she could nurse her puppies.”
“Comparative studies of mammary tissue across species reveal how nursing strategies evolved to match different environments and infant needs.”
Examples
simple
“Female mammals have mammary glands to feed their young.”
contextual
“The vet checked the dog's mammary glands after she gave birth to make sure she could nurse her puppies.”
complex
“Comparative studies of mammary tissue across species reveal how nursing strategies evolved to match different environments and infant needs.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “mammary” in context.
Adjective
01. human mammary
“Researchers cultured human mammary cells to study lactation.”
adj + adj
02. lactating mammary
“Prolactin levels rise in lactating mammary tissue after birth.”
adj + adj
Noun
03. mammary cell
“Scientists studied how a mammary cell differentiates during pregnancy.”
adj + noun
04. mammary duct
“Milk travels through the mammary duct to the nipple during feeding.”
adj + noun
05. mammary gland
“The mammary gland produces milk to nourish a newborn baby.”
adj + noun
06. mammary tissue
“The surgeon removed a small sample of mammary tissue for testing.”
adj + noun
07. mammary tumour
“The vet detected a benign mammary tumour during the examination.”
adj + noun
08. a benign mammary tumour
“The scan revealed a benign mammary tumour that required monitoring.”
09. developing mammary gland
“Hormones regulate growth in the developing mammary gland during puberty.”
10. human mammary epithelial cell
“The lab studies the human mammary epithelial cell in culture.”
11. mammary gland development
“Nutrition plays a key role in early mammary gland development.”
12. normal mammary tissue
“The biopsy compared the tumour with surrounding normal mammary tissue.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies, as in 'mammary gland'.
Etymology
From Renaissance Latin mammārius, from Classical Latin mamma (“breast”) + -ārius (adjectival suffix). By surface analysis, mamma + -ary.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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